&*%$#@ Alternater! Can anyone tell me what the best alternater is next to a
Reese? I'm tired of putting in a rebuilt and having the thing be junk in a years
time. It seems it's either the bearing or the field that goes. Reese is not available in my area, I'd have to drive 100= miles to get one. Is there a web-site that I could go to? Thanks guys.

1988 F350 7.3 IDI 5-Speed Manual 4X4

 

Hey diesel 988,

I did a google on Reese alternator and came up with nothing. Is that a brand name alternator?

Do you have anyone in your area that can rebuild what you have?

 

Boy, I got so po'd that I typed Reese. I meant Leece-Neville. I did not think of google
though. I'll check there. Around where I am there isn't much I know of that has a
decent reputation. I'm just tired of the, "lifetime warrenty" b.s. It's a lifetime allright!
ThanksHangfire.

 

Parts are becoming a crap shoot as far as how long they last. It does not seem to make any difference where you get them either.
I just installed a brake master cylinder that lasted 14 hours, down from the normal 1 year.
Vacuum pumps are good for about 11 months.
Alternators are good for 10 months.
Clutch master cylinders are good for 9 months.
U joints are about 7 months.
Ball joints are about one year.
Starters last maybe two years.
I got a reman 7.3 turbo diesel motor with a two year unlimited mileage warranty, motor #3 is in the truck right now. Original install date was 12/15/2003, lasted till 2/17/2004. That one lasted till 7/15/2004, and the current motor has about 3 pounds oil pressure at idle when at operating temp, but it did make it for 6 months so far.

Quality control is unheard of any more.
The only bright side is they are easier to change because the bolts do not have time to rust tight. I am down to an engine swap in 9 hours with all the practice I have had in the last year.

 

Thanks Dave I neede a laugh. It's really bad after spending long dollars for a part and end up replacing it again in less than a years time. I'm just browsing Leece-Nevilles site
now. They may be more money, but it's what they use in most ambulance and emergengy vehicle applications.

 

Hey diesel 988,

I was just looking at the LN website, seems like they have some pretty good stuff but hard to locate a dealer in my area too. Looks like I'd have to order from Portland, OR...

 

Yeah, wait till you spend 7000 for an engine and it lasts for 3 months,and you replace it with one that lasts for 5 months.
Wanna talk about a sick feeling.

 

Have you tried Napa by any chance. I Know that, at least in most car applications, they offer two different price/quality choices, and I have had great luck with them. I took an automotive electric course there before and got to see first hand the differences in parts used. They have to offer the cheapies to stay compedative with the Autozones and Pepboys, but you most offten get what you pay for.

 

Thanks jonboy, will check that out

Hey DAVE, where are you getting these motors? Ford? IH? I can't believe that crap!!

 

As far as the parts, I have tried NAPA, Autozone, Advance Auto, Fisher Auto Parts, and Ford as well as some other less well known local places. Premium or standard parts seem to make no difference.

The actual remanufacturer was Reviva, which is a major engine remanufacturer for the big three auto makers. I have seen a 351 gasoline motor reman that came from one of their divisions through the local Ford dealer. The heads were so messed up that that not one out of eight spark plugs would screw in the engine without retapping the spark plug holes. The mechanics were lucky enough that on the third engine they got to install it. If you want to check out the Reviva diesel go to www.reviva.com for an interesting story.

 

Well they dance a good dance. It sounds like they do a good job. Were all the failures
the same problem ? Do they reimburse for labor? I had come across a company in NC
that does remans, And they claim that every thing is new that goes into the motors.
I'll see if I can find it and send you the url.

 

it takes about 25 minutes to change an altenator, and autozone is the only parts house (that i know of) to give a warranty for the life of the vehicle. i only buy starters and altenators from them. they are nationwide and i have never had a problem getting a replacement. i just make sure i keep all their warranty papers in my glovebox along with all the other vehicle papers. my 2 cents worth.

 

Since Reviva has my old 6.9 and 6,650 dollars I have a limited ability to change boats mid stream.
The first motor was a cracked block/blown head gasket between 5 and 7 cylinders which were both sleeved in the reman process. One mechanic though the block was cracked during the sleeving process and not caught. This is what caused the head gasket to fail.
The second motor was a broken crank in the main bearing next to the back of the engine. The engine had extremely loud engine sounds from day one, the oil pressure was doing all kinds of wierd thing for the last three weeks it ran. Way high one minute, way low the next all for no apparent reason.
Motor three is doing OK as far as running and good power, but the idle oil pressure is to low for my liking. I have just a little over 8,000 miles on it as of now. I have very little faith that this motor will make it to 20,000 miles this year.

They have been shipping out new motors when required, they have been paying the install and shipping costs. They are not covering antifreeze and state sales tax on the install. Also when motor number 2 went, about two weeks after the new motor I noticed that I had transmission oil leaks at the input and output shaft seals. This tranny had been rebuilt the year before, but I think the vibration of the broken crank is responsible for the failed seals. Also when the first engine died, they had us tear it down to find the problem. I wish I had never seen the inside of that motor. Stripped bolts, improper torques, misaligned gaskets to name a few things.

When I originally found this place it was called Dealers Diesel, which I saw a Dealers Diesel poster in the local Ford dealers parts room. This allowed me to feel more comfortable dealing with them. But about the time I ordered the motor they were going through a name change to Reviva. The first two motors were black with Dealers Diesel all over them. The third motor was grey with Reviva all over it except for the air box lid that was still black and said Dealers Diesel on it. I have to wonder if they were shoving inferior inventory out the door to complete the change over to the Reviva product line.

I am beside myself with all this, I think if this one blows the first call I make will be to the state attorney generals office before I even call a tow truck.

 

What a friggin nightmare. I'm new to diesels but I know they can get expensive once they start heading south. If mine blows I'm not sure if I'd part it out or try to repair it...

 

Dave, Man I feel for you. I can't say I've been through that, but I've had some frus-
trating situations and I think I can imagine. Sounds like the motor would be the cause for the tranny seals for sure. But you ate that cost I'm sure. What you describe is quite the opposite of how they present themselves. I hope it stays together for you.
You would think that Ford or any other auto maker/dealer would make sure they were getting a high quality product rather than have their name tarnished after the fact.
I feel that if you have service or parts problems with a company, they just aren't worth doing business with. I no longer go to advance auto parts or autozone for that exact reason. I just got tired of screwing around putting in parts that are junk in a short time. The AG will be the way to go if you do have more problems. You would at the least get your cost back. Just not relief from frustration.
Dave, wish ther was something I could tell you that would help, but when your in that far you've just got to ride it out I guess. Best of luck to you!!